AHS Students Participate in Blood Drive for Ian Lang

Ian Lang is a freshman at AHS, and earlier this year he was diagnosed with bone cancer. As part of his treatment, he receives chemotherapy and blood transfusions.

As “one team,” AHS students, staff and faculty are participating in a 12th annual blood drive, and Student Senate is asking the our community to give blood “in honor of Ian.”

Although students have to be 16 to donate blood, sophomore Emma Mengwasser says it is so worth doing it and raising support for Lang, and helping other kids who may be in his situation.

The blood drive will be held on Thursday, April 12th in the North Campus west gym. As is says on the flyer, “sign up at lunch, and support Ian.” Students can sign up in their lunch from 3/26 – 4/11. T-shirts are also available for sale during lunch periods for $15.

Mengwasser is participating in the blood drive, not only because she is a friend to Lang and wants to support him, but also because she wants to feel like she is “making a difference” in the lives of others, and it is helpful to give blood whenever you can.

She doesn’t know of anybody doing the blood drive, but she has heard talk in the halls of how many people are participating in it to support Lang and other kids who are dealing with the same kind of difficulty.

Sophomore Abbey Julius is planning on donating blood because she knows it is going to a good cause.

“Many students can’t participate in the blood drive, because they are not of age, or because they are in a sport, which is really sad, but I know that they would if they could,” Mengwasser said.

Both Julius and Mengwasser can agree, that even if students can’t donate blood, they should “definitely” find some way to support Lang and his family.